New York Schools Cited as Among the Best in the Nation

According to the National Education Association, theThe New York schools are among the top eight
New York schools have made significant strides instates in the percentage of 18-24 year olds enrolling in
academic achievement over the past few years. In acollege. This is good news for parents, the
nationwide comparison, the New York schools havecommunities, and the businesses in New York.
improved student achievement, as well as the schoolsNew York Named One of Smartest States
themselves. Though issues remain that challenge theNew York has been named one of ten ?smartest
New York educators, parents and the community canstates? in the nation for its quality public elementary
be assured that the New York schools are doingand secondary schools. Education Week gives the
everything in their power to remedy these.New York schools a grade of ?A? (97 out of 100) for
Students Are Achievingthe high standards and accountability of the public
Essential scoring on the National Assessment ofschools.
Education Progress (NAEP) exam has risen for theAdvanced Placement coursework is offered by 85
New York schools.percent of the public schools, while only 60 percent of
Fourth grader reading scores have risen by 26private schools offer them in the New York schools.
percent between 1992 and 2003 for those studentsThe New York schools students take more advanced
scoring in the highest two levels.coursework. The New York schools are among the
Writing scores have increased in the New Yorktop eight states in percentage of high school students
schools, making them among the nation's best. Fourthtaking upper level math courses and among the top
graders now rank third in the nation on the NAEP,ten states for advanced science coursework taken.
while eighth graders increased scoring by 43 percentThe New York schools are leading the nation in cutting
between 1998 and 2002 in the highest two levels ofedge Foreign Language Immersion Programs (FLIP).
the exam.They are among the top ten states nationally in the
Math scores also have improved. Fourth graderpercentage of public elementary schools offering FLIP
scores nearly doubled between 1992 and 2003 at thecoursework.
two highest levels of the exam. Eight grader scoresQuality teachers also push the New York schools in
more than doubled at the highest two levels betweenfront of other states, with their middle and high school
1990 and 2003.teachers among the most qualified in the nation.. The
The public New York schools have outperformed thenumber of teachers in the New York schools that are
private ones on Advanced Placement exams, coursesnationally certified by the prestigious National Board of
through which high school students may earn collegeTesting Standards has nearly tripled since 2000. Math
credit. Students attending public schools score higher inteachers with majors in their field for the seventh
calculus, computer science, and physics.through twelfth grades place the New York schools
College Entrance Exam scores have improved. Moreamong the top eight states, with similarly-qualified
New York schools students are getting high scores onscience teachers for the same grades placing the
the SAT exam. Graduating seniors also haveNew York schools among the top seven states.
increased their scores on the math portion of the SATLastly, the New York schools provide at least one
by 28 percent since 1994, with a high score being 600computer for instruction for every 4.2 public school
or above. Additionally, the New York schools are onestudents.
of the top ten states, with high school graduatesThe New York schools have come a long way over
scoring in the top 20 percent nationally on the ACTthe past decade. The educators and administrators
and SAT exams.have much of which to be proud.
More New York schools students are college bound!